new alk test kit
 

La Motte reads in ppm. I am used to KH and meg/l..
I used to keep my tank @9kh, what is that in ppm?
is there a Table on RC ?

1 meq/L = 2.8 dKH = 50 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents.

I recommend 2.5-4 meq/L =7-11 dKH = 125-200 ppm calcium carbonate equivalents for alkalinity. :)

Hmmm, after 2 tests with each kit...
Salifert reads 9kh
La motte reads 120ppm
One has to be off! :confused: 9kh=160 right?

120ppm = 2.4meq/l = 6.7kh Right??

Yes. :)

i betting the salifert kit is the one with the issue, but to be on the safe side take the water to a local fish store, have them test the water, and see if they can figure out which kit is reading incorrectly

Some local fish stores wouldn't have a clue...sadly...at least the ones in my area wouldn't...:)

go to salty zoo website and look at alk conversion calculator

I have one right here :D

[url=reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=226047&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500]reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=226047&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500[/URL]

[QUOTE][i]<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11570798#post11570798 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oct2274 [/i]
[B]i betting the salifert kit is the one with the issue, but to be on the safe side take the water to a local fish store, have them test the water, and see if they can figure out which kit is reading incorrectly [/B][/QUOTE]

I'll take that bet. :D

I just tested a lamotte kit against a salifert and seachem and an API.

The Salifert, Seachem and API were close and the LaMotte was off.

Here's my take on LaMottte. They have two levels of test kits. Hobby grade (priced like the rest) and a better grade (Much more cost, but accurate.

Unless you are willing to pay double the price for a kit, then I wouldn't necessarily view LaMotte as accurate.

Me and Boomer discussed this for over an hour not too long ago. He got his LaMotte book out and low and behold. You get what you pay for. :)

Thanks for the Table! its really helped!
La Motte $20 kit may be in question? (premium aquatics, only showed the one test kit) Hmmm,
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I had started questioning the salivert test because of deteriorating condition of my tank. loss of corals, loss of color,etc
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I think, its best, that I send a sample to Richmond to be tested at Alantis aquariums. (LFS I trust VERY Much) I will let you know..
--- BTW, since i started this post, I have been told (many times), salifert may have come out with a bad batch of test kits. :eek:

Kasey, you been to Reefchief?
I understand Jeff is very well liked , and respected in your area..
hear the same about other LFS in your area as you stated.

Charlie: Yes, actually I just got back from Reefchief; I think out of all the stores here, I would say he's got his ducks in a row.

that's good to know the cheaper ones aren't accurate. i was figuring it was the salifert because I got two bad ones from them :( . Even the one habib sent to me that had the reference was bad! when i tested it with their own reference solution it read one dkh high sigh................ you are definitely one of the lucky ones if you got a good alk kit from salifert lately. Someday i might go back to salifert if they get their ducks in a row, but after two bad alk kits and a bad mag kit I'm taking a break.

it really is too bad, i used to use salifert exclusively........I loved the ease of use and accuracy that they once had.

Suggestion. Pick up an API KH kit and test it against your others. They are inexpensive and extremely accurate. It wont get you to the fractions of dkh but it will give you a dkh as each drop equals 1 dkh. :)

i agree with billy, i've had pretty good luck with api so far and since they are so cheap what do you have to lose?

Question....
If my salifert test kit is off. (reads high 2kh)
would it read off , by the same Margin, consisantly?
(I would just use it and subtract 2 from reading it produces... to get "real" reading)

API--- Does any of our sponsers sell these? I do not see them on Premium Aquatics web site :(

Foster's and Smith sells them

i think they sell two kits, the carbonate hardness test is the one you want, not the general hardness

marine depot is a sponsor and carries them as well

Why not test each kit against a known standard, like 1.1350 grams of baking soda in a gallon of distilled water? It should read 10dKH.

Do they sell a test solution? I am not sure how to measure 1.1350 grams :D

A few alkalinity test kits come with reference solutions. They do not work very well IMO.

Most hobbyists do not own an appropriate scale to measure out 1.1350 grams. I know I don't. :D

Get the API KH kit from either Marine Depot or Drs Foster & Smith and try it against your kit. Let us know what you find.

BTW - Many local pet supply stores carry API's.